HELENSBURGH and Lomond is likely to move into level one Covid restrictions from next week, the First Minister has confirmed.

Speaking at Holyrood on Tuesday afternoon, Nicola Sturgeon said that Argyll and Bute will remain in level two of the five-tiered system for the time being, but barring any sudden rise in case numbers over the next seven days guidelines will be eased slightly in the area.

Case numbers across the region have fallen dramatically following an outbreak at Faslane naval base, with 32 positive cases recorded between December 6 and December 12.

Eight of those came in the Garelochhead area, which had been among the worst hit spots in the country as a result of the coronavirus cluster at HMNB Clyde. A further six positive cases were recorded in Helensburgh North, according to the most recent statistics from Public Health Scotland.

Addressing the Scottish Parliament, Ms Sturgeon said: "Our conclusion last week that the rise in case numbers was down to an isolated workplace outbreak, rather than wider community transmission, seems to have been validated, as case numbers have fallen again by more than 70 per cent.

"This is in line with what we expected and hoped for given the previous low rates across Argyll and Bute.

"However, while this is positive, the clinical advice is that we should allow a transmission cycle to fully elapse before moving the area to level one. This will allow us to make sure that there has been no wider transmission from that workplace outbreak.

"I can therefore confirm that Argyll and Bute will remain at level two this week but assuming no adverse change to the situation it is likely to move to level one next week."

Ms Sturgeon added that in recognition of the "geographic diversity of Argyll and Bute" restrictions will be eased in some of the outer Argyll islands, including Islay, Jura, Colonsay and Oronsay.

That announcement followed a plea by the constituency's MP, Brendan O'Hara, for the First Minister to review restrictions in parts of Argyll and Bute rather than "lumping them in with Helensburgh".

Welcoming the news, Mr O’Hara said: “This is the news so many of my constituents have been waiting to hear.

"Island communities have worked so hard to keep transmission of the virus low – and in some cases non-existent – and I am delighted that the First Minister has recognised this.

"I wrote to her when the tier levels were first announced and again last week to ask that the Scottish Government look at the islands and rural areas of Argyll and Bute specifically.

“I know that the Scottish Government is working really hard just how, especially being the first government in the UK to roll out the vaccine to care home residents – and today’s decision means island communities can now start to regain some normality, businesses can hopefully begin their recovery and families can welcome each other into their homes in time for Christmas.

"I hope it won’t be long before the rest of the constituency can also move into Tier 1.

“However, like the First Minister, I will also stress that no one can afford to become complacent and we must all stick to the rules regarding hygiene and social distancing."